Know Thyself

In this edition of the History of Being Human we present our list of the most uncanny, improbable, and influential coincidences in history.  Events that make you wonder at times if there are hidden springs turning the wheels of history that we have yet to discover.   We peek into the into the troubled minds of conspiracy theorists and their followers for a few enlightening moments and also ask the question of how much volitional control we can exert over the moment of our deaths. Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong End song: 1904 by The Tallest Man on Earth email: thobhpodcast@gmail.com

Armageddon. John of Patmos saw the great battle, where the "demonic spirits" would join "the kings of the whole world" and battle against the armies of "God Almighty." Revelation 16: 14,16 reads: "They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty...Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."  Since then, few words in the English language have carried the power of "Armageddon" -- the great symbol of the end of times apocalyptic battle royale. Why did John see this as the site for his great showdown? What is there about the hill of Megiddo (now Armageddon) that would inspire such violent imagery? Today we find out. We speak with the man who wrote "the" book on the Collapse of the Late Bronze Age and now has written "the" book on the history of the great dig at Har Megiddo and what was found there.   In this interview we cover the VERY violent past of Megiddo, th

You know about them, but do you know them?  This episode we speak with someone who does.  Dr. Assaf Yasur-Landau is a recognized expert in the Canaanites, Philistines, Phoenicians, ancient Israel, and all things Near-Eastern Bronze and Iron Aged both underwater and on land. In this wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Yasur-Landau explains -- as only a working archeologist can -- who the Canaanites were and how they fared in the Collapse of the Late Bronze Age. We talk about who some of the Sea Peoples were, what motivated their incursions into Canaanite lands. We delve into whether there is any archeological evidence for the Exodus and Conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, the origins of Ancient Israel, and whether the Gods of Ancient Israel were different from other Canaanite deities. This is also a view of the collapse of the Late Bronze Age among the Canaanites, from a man who is immersed in their world and understands their material culture like few others. Visit his web page: http://marsci.haifa.ac.il/index.ph

Today we take a break from the Collapse of the Late Bronze Age to present a primer on the causative agent, the transmission, and the pathology of coronavirus disease (not to be confused with the collapse of the Late Petroleum Age). What is it? Where and what did it come from? How many ways can it transmit? What are its vectors? How does it gain entrance to your body? What happens once inside? Symptoms and signs. Some of this you already know. Some you most likely have never heard or considered.  Much of it, I hope, is worth knowing. Comments, suggestions, or questions? thobhpodcast@gmail.com Protect yourself: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html   Artwork: Oz by Ian Armstrong    

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The History of Being Human. The name is different but the podcast is the same. The Sea Peoples, ominous harbingers of the end of an entire age. In this episode we encounter this most mysterious force of destructive pillaging pirate pilgrims in history. The Sea Peoples. All of them, the Sherden, Shekelesh, Denyen, Lukka, Ekwesh, Peleset, Teresh, Tjeker, and of course Weshesh. Who were they? Where did they come from? What did they want?  How did they destroy so many powerful lands? Who could withstand their onslaught? Did their confederation cause the Bronze Age Collapse, or were they also victims of larger forces at play? We read the first hand accounts, such as they are, as we examine the written records from Egypt and Ugarit, the evidence of DNA and physical culture, to learn what we can about these terrifying raiders.  And the truth is, it isn't much.  Most of The Sea Peoples are a mystery that might never be unraveled.  Email me with comments or corrections or questions

Welcome to the greatest mystery of the ancient world. In the 12 Century BCE, the greatest civilizations of the ancient world were suddenly and violently either eradicated or weakened so badly that they never recovered.  Almost every city of importance was demolished, most of them never inhabited again.  The Late Bronze Age was a dynamic, intriguing, optimistic time with vast nations and empires trading, writing letters, building and creating, traveling, intermarrying, and making war. And all of it, incomprehensibly, would end in a period of a few decades.  This episode is an introduction to the Empires and Kingdoms of North Africa, the Aegean, Levant, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia -- the worlds original (semi) global society    

The most famous real-life ghost ship in history is also one of the greatest maritime mysteries ever. A ship found floating is good condition without a soul aboard. Valuables untouched. No evidence of violence or serious damage. The personal belongings of the captain and crew undisturbed. Strange spots, marks in the wood. A famous inquiry with a prosecutor that comes right out of a cartoon.  Wild theories, speculations, and accusations. No solutions.   Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong Music clip: Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats by Billy Talent, Flying Dutchman Overture by Richard Wagner.  

There are many mysteries haunting the memory of the Lost Franklin Expedition. Some questions have been answered, some remain to be answered, and others never will be.  How did Franklin die? Who was Aglooka? The Ice Zombies? Could the Inuit have saved them?  Why did 24 men die aboard ships with plenty of rations? Who sailed the ships South after they were abandoned? Did any men make it back to civilization? Did the expedition ever, at any point, have a chance? A deep dive into the questions that have perplexed and continue to baffle researchers of this ill-fated undertaking.    

1845 Two Ships leave England to seek the Northwest Passage, and disappear from the face of the Earth. Where had they gone? What happened to them? Almost two centuries later, we know some of the answers. But mysteries remain. The most complete audio presentation of the Lost Franklin Expedition anywhere. Part 1 -- The Story.

It is one of the most infamous acts of butchery in history. Parisian Catholics vs Protestants at the height of the Reformation. People were going to die.  A lot of people. In this episode you will hear the background, the intrigues, the animosities personal and religious, the kings and queens and dukes and admirals, the popes and reformers, and in the end the murderers and their victims.  A sad, sordid, disturbing tale of how religious zealotry mixed with power lust, greed, and fear brought out the absolute worst in humanity and resulted in the wholesale slaughter of 10,000 to 30,000 people.   Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong 

This episode continues our excursion into the manifestations of mob behavior by covering some of the deadliest, most out-of-control, seething, frothing, infuriated hordes and outraged masses in history. Sports Hooliganism on a grand and deadly scale (as in 30,000 people massacred during the Nika riots), anti-Vaccination riots in Rio, Religious riots, salt riots, plague riots, riots and more riots. So light your Molotov cocktails, grab your rocks and clubs, and stake out your barricade for this survey of some of the deadliest (and goofiest) riots in the ancient and modern world. The in depth discussion of the NIKA RIOTS of 532 CE begins at 43 minutes.  

National Humanities Medal Award Winner, Author, Revolutionary, Historian Professor Teofilo Ruiz explains how the witch persecutions began, what they consisted of, why they stopped, and what it means for humanity. A fascinating, broad and deep discussion with a brilliant and distinguished historical researcher and multi-award-winning teacher and author. From Professor Ruiz: “I think that the role of a historian, the role of a teacher—and I truly believe this—is to go against the grain. To argue. To be a contrarian. To make people think critically about things."  

IMPORTANT CORRECTION!! Near the end of the episode I commit a gaffe and state that there is no "Satan" in the Old Testament, which is obviously false. As per our interview with Dr. Price, there IS a Satan in the Old Testament, most fully developed in the book of Job.  What I meant to say is that there is no DEVIL in the Old Testament!  I conflated the two terms (as did later interpreters of the bible), and said "Satan" when I meant "Devil," hence the error. Satan in the Old Testament is the accuser -- something akin to a prosecuting attorney working in the court of God. Satan in the New Testament is presented as the Devil, an Angra-Maniyuesque enemy to God, chief among the demonic forces who actively oppose the work of God. Although it is seen by later Christians as the same being, his role and powers are very differently presented in older Hebrew and Christian texts.  I will correct this with some bad editing when I get the chance. Other than that, I think my errors are no more than usual. Where did the beli

Who are you going to believe -- the group or your own eyes?  Answer (all too often): The Group. In the fascinating and wide-ranging discussion with Psychologist Steve Rathje, we take a hard look into: what reason is and why we developed it how our need for belonging drives our beliefs why we ignore inconvenient evidence whether it hurts worse to listen to the other side or get a root canal how even listening to conflicting evidence can threaten our identity why being smart can lead you deeper into error how Occam's razor can cut the wrong way how enemies can fulfill some of our deep needs what can be done to incentivize truth over tribalism Steve is studying for his PhD in social psychology at Cambridge University, and is the author of the Words Matter Blog in Psychology Today (Words Matter Blog). Music: Icy Vindur by A Himitsu Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong

The 1640s were a brutal time in England, with the breakdown of many state governmental functions during the English Civil War.  It was a time of chaos, and the perfect opportunity for the one-man murrain known as Matthew Hopkins to begin accusing, swimming, pricking, and torturing hapless victims as witches. In 3 short years, Hopkins sent between 200 and 300 souls to the gallows.  But Hopkin's comeuppance was, ahem, coming, although the form it would take has been open to some dispute until recently.  Also, the "madness" of King James VI and I, the obsession with witches and demons, contributed to the general atmosphere of fear and loathing that allowed Hopkins and his ilk to have their way. Herein is the story of an honorary diplomate of the school of worst humans--Matthew Hopkins. Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong

For this episode I call an audible based on information I came across researching other topics. From 1581 to 1593 the city and surrounding villages of Trier, Germany were the scene of the greatest, worst, deadliest witch trials in European history. Powerful and weak, old and young, rich and poor became fuel for the pyres of Archbishop von Schonenberg and Bishop Binsfield. So many people died that the executioner became the equivalent of a multi-millionaire, while crops failed and two villages were left with only ONE woman alive in each.  Are witch trials the worst thing humans have ever perpetrated upon each other?  After this episode, you might change your opinion.   Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong

Beth Caruso, author of "One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America's First Witch Hanging" tells us the stories of Alse Young and Lydia Gilbert, two of the first known victims of Witch Mania in The Colonies. Alse was hung 45 years before the more famous Salem witch fiasco, an event recorded in one line in the governor's daybook with her name left out. It was only through some serious sleuthing in the historical record that her story can be (somewhat) told.   Lydia Gilbert, another victim in the Connecticut persecutions, might have been convicted on the most ludicrous charges in the history of self-serving zealotry. Which is saying a lot. And which also proves there is no statute of limitations on bewitching a musket. These are the stories of the forgotten victims of a powerful delusion, told by a woman who has spent years learning the story of the times in which they lived. Buy Beth's Book: bn.com One of Windsor; Amazon.com One of Windsor Visit Beth's site:https://www.oneofwindsor.com/ Learn more about the Co

Today we stare into the hooked nose of a most troubling historical evidence of our capacity for hysteria: the witch craze. How did witches go from being village wise women and cunning folk to enemy number one, a mortal threat to God and good Christians everywhere? How did burning old men and women for fun and profit become a respectable hobby? In this episode we cover the 1324 case of Alyse Kyteler, Petronilla de Midia (aka Meath), and Bishop Ledrede... We look back at the stirrings of the witch mania in Europe... And outline the Black Mass as it struck terror into the hearts of Medieval peoples.    

Today we introduce our series on Mob Madness and Mass Delusions. I speak to Rob Henderson, PhD student in psychology and Gates scholar studying moral psychology (not his own) at Cambridge University. Topics include the physical pain of social ostracism, herd mentality, moral foundations theory, whether members of a screeching, seething mob are morally responsible for their activities, and the dangerous downside to creating your own personal echo chamber of like-minded people online. Grab your torch and pitchfork and join us in an intro to a the only series-long celebration of one of our defining human characteristics -- the capacity to whip ourselves into an foaming-at-the-mouth terrified and terrifying irrational frenzy and demolish everything in our path. READ Rob's Blog!   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/after-service Art work: Oz by Ian Armstrong    

The bones of our ancient relatives and prehistoric ancestors bear the puncture wounds, scrapings, and bite marks that tell a horrifying tale of predation. Who and what we are has been shaped by what we had to duck, run, jump, and hide from.   But if you really want to know what preyed on us in the past, look no further that at what eats us now. From the Talon Holes in the Taung Child's skull to the bite marks on Peking Man, from the Beast of Gevaudan to the Leopard of Panar, here are a few of the trials of life that we, and our closest relatives, have endured.   Cover Art: Oz by Ian Armstrong